Wisconsin: Toddler's autopsy indicates quick death inside car

The Polk County sheriff confirmed Tuesday that Wisconsin toddler Isaiah Theis, who was found dead inside a car trunk near his home July 17, had the keys to the car with him.

The sheriff also shared an email from the Midwest medical examiner's office about how long the 2-year-old likely sat alone in the trunk before he died.

"It can be said that the changes to Isaiah's body were consistent with him dying soon after the time he was last known to be alive," Dr. A. Quinn Strobl wrote, noting how quickly and intensely a sealed car can heat up. Isaiah was last seen by his family about 7:30 p.m. July 16.

"It is most likely that Isaiah was deceased, or had experienced irreversible damage, by 9 p.m. (July 16) if he was already in the trunk around the time it was reportedly realized he was missing," the doctor concluded.

Sheriff Peter Johnson said he would not be commenting on the case again as the investigation continues.

A funeral has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Alliance Church of the Valley in St. Croix Falls, Wis. Visitation will be at the church one hour before the service and from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Trollhaugen Convention Center in Dresser.

The family asked that media not attend the service or visitation, said the Rev. Rick Van Gundy, the family's pastor.

A memorial fund has been set up to help the Theis family. It can be found at http://bit.ly/19g7Trx.